Gardaí appeal for information after woman was set on fire outside her Clondalkin home 

Gardaí at the scene where a woman was set on fire. It is suspected that the attack is linked to a drug debt and to a south-west Dublin gang operating in the Clondalkin and Ballyfermot areas. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

A manhunt is underway for an assailant who doused a woman in petrol at her home and set her alight.

The woman remains in a critical condition in hospital after the attack which occurred shortly after 10am on Tuesday at a suburban home in Oak Downs, off Boot Road in Clondalkin.

A masked male knocked on the door, doused the woman who answered in petrol, and set her alight, it is believed.

The assailant then fled the scene on a black e-bike, leaving the woman screaming and engulfed in flames.

Her partner, who was also in the house, tried to put out the flames, locals said. He suffered minor injuries.

The injured woman, aged 43, remains in a critical condition in a specialist burn unit in St James’ Hospital with more than 40% burns to her body. She is expected to survive but will live with serious injuries, sources said.

Her partner, aged 49, has multiple previous convictions and has had serious threats made against him.

It is suspected that the attack is linked to a drug debt and to a south-west Dublin gang operating in the Clondalkin and Ballyfermot areas.

Gardaí have been conducting house-to-house enquiries and have harvested CCTV from the area.

Sinn Féin councillor William Carey lives just two streets from where the attack took place.

He is looking for counselling supports for people who witnessed the immediate aftermath of the attack.

“Some people heard the screams and came outside and saw the girl on fire. They are completely traumatised," Mr Carey said. “The community is in total shock."

This latest attack was “raising the bar” on suspected drug-related violence, he said.

The girl came to the door, there was no mistaking her identity. They knew what they were doing. It's attempted murder, as far as I'm concerned.

“They covered her in fluid and set her alight. They tried to burn a person alive. I understand that her lower clothing was covered in fluid, but the flames engulfed her.

“The level of violence being used now is beyond anything I’ve seen before. And this is a very quiet, residential area. This is completely out of keeping with the general area.” 

The victim was “a beautiful looking girl” and the attack was going to have a major effect on her, he said. 

People living in the targeted home were vulnerable, he said.

Increased investment is desperately needed in youth diversion services to help keep young people safe from drugs, violence, and criminality, Mr Carey said. 

More investment is also desperately needed in the drugs and alcohol taskforce and in services for drug users, he said.

"It's fine calling for increased garda levels, but diverting people away from drugs and investing in a medical response is vital."

Clondalkin's population has expanded rapidly, but support services have not kept pace, he said.

“I just hope this girl makes some recovery. For this to happen to anyone is horrendous.” 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda Station on 01-666-7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.